Bhubaneswar, Odisha – The Indian Women’s Hockey Team is gearing up for their next matches against Spain on February 18 and 19 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium. They are eager to bounce back after some ups and downs so far.
India kicked off their campaign with an exciting 3-2 win over England. In their second game, however, they faced a tough battle, ending with a 2-2 tie that went to a shootout, where they lost 2-1. Currently, India sits in eighth place with four points from two games. They aim to improve their ranking against a strong Spanish team.
In their first match against England, India showed their potential, especially in penalty corners. They scored two goals from three attempts. However, in the next match, they struggled, failing to convert any of their three penalty corner chances.
Navneet Kaur, the vice captain and leading scorer, has been performing well, netting goals in both games. She brings stability to the forward line. With a focus on enhancing their tactics and strengthening their defense, the team is preparing for a challenge against Spain.
Spain enters the matches with confidence, having won both of their games against Germany in the FIH Pro League, both by a score of 2-1. Despite those wins, their overall record shows some inconsistency, with two victories and a shootout win in six matches. They currently hold fourth place in the standings, led by Patricia Alvarez, who has scored twice to help her team.
For India, these next two games are crucial. They need to gain points to set a positive tone for their campaign. Playing at home, they will aim to leverage the crowd’s support and correct their previous mistakes.
Captain Salima Tete expressed her excitement about the upcoming matches, stating, “We know Spain is a tough opponent, but we’re ready for the challenge. We’ve looked back at our games against England and know where we need to improve, especially in converting penalty corners. We’re focusing on our defense and taking clear scoring chances.”
She added that these games are vital for their momentum and motivation. The team is determined to secure important points and return to winning form.
India will face Spain on February 18 and 19. It promises to be an exciting showdown.
